Creature Commandos is a superhero adult animated series created by James Gunn and produced by DC Studios. Premiering on HBO Max in 2024, it follows a black ops team of monsters performing missions for A.R.G.U.S. after Task Force X is shut down.
The series was praised by critics for its writing, animation, and vocal performances. It is the first official project in the DC Universe, though its premiere follows up on the retroactively canonical events of Peacemaker's first season.
Plot[]
After the Task Force X program is shut down,[4] A.R.G.U.S. director Amanda Waller is no longer allowed to blackmail human supervillains for covert ops missions. To circumvent these restrictions, she puts together a new team of non-human individuals, known as the Creature Commandos, to perform her clandestine operations under the leadership of General Rick Flag Sr.[5]
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Indira Varma as the Bride[6]
- Frank Grillo as General Rick Flag Sr.[6]
- Zoë Chao as Nina Mazursky[6]
- Alan Tudyk as Dr. Alex Sartorius/Doctor Phosphorus[6]
- Sean Gunn as G.I. Robot and the Weasel[6]
- David Harbour as Eric Frankenstein[6]
Recurring[]
- Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana Rostovic[6]
- Anya Charlotra as Circe[7]
- Viola Davis as Amanda Waller[6]
- Steve Agee as John Economos[6]
- Julian Kostov as Alexi and Sergei[8]
- Stephanie Beatriz as Dr. Aisla MacPherson[9]
Episodes[]
Season 1[]
| Episode | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Collywobbles" | December 5, 2024 |
| 2 | "The Tourmaline Necklace" | December 5, 2024 |
| 3 | "Cheers to the Tin Man" | December 12, 2024 |
| 4 | "Chasing Squirrels" | December 19, 2024 |
| 5 | "The Iron Pot" | December 26, 2024 |
| 6 | "Priyatel Skelet" | January 2, 2025 |
| 7 | "A Very Funny Monster" | January 9, 2025 |
Production[]
Development[]
Before becoming the co-CEO of DC Studios, James Gunn was asked by Peter Girardi of Warner Bros. Animation if he wanted to make an animated project, and Gunn suggested a series based on the Creature Commandos. He wrote all seven episodes,[10] and when he became DC Studios' creative head in 2022, he greenlit the series for his new DC Universe.[11]
Each episode focuses on a different team member, which Gunn likened to Lost.[6] The show's takes on Frankenstein's monster and the Bride are largely derived from the original novel Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, as opposed to Universal Pictures' classic film adaptations, or Grant Morrison's reinterpretation of Frankenstein for DC Comics in their Seven Soldiers of Victory maxi-series.[2]
Production on Season 1[]
Gunn announced the series in January 2023 as part of his announcement of the wider DC Studios slate,[12] and the main cast was announced in April 2023.[6] The cast recorded their lines for the first season from May[13] to August of that year,[14] with Gunn serving as voice director for the main actors.[15]
Dean Lorey served as showrunner on Season 1, while Yves Bigerel acted as supervising director for the animation studio Bobbypills.[16] The show was scored by Clint Mansell and Kevin Kiner, who previously scored music for the DC series Titans, Doom Patrol, and Gunn's own Peacemaker.[10] The show's theme song is a cover of "Moliendo Café" performed by Fanfare Ciocărlia,[16] and several licensed songs from bands such as Gogol Bordello and The Dresden Dolls are included in the series.[17]
Production on Season 2[]
In December 2024, Creature Commandos was renewed for a second season,[18] and Gunn announced that work on it had begun in January 2025.[19]
Trivia[]
- Creature Commandos is the first project in "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters", the first wave of projects in the DC Universe.[12]
- The series premiere follows up on the retroactively canonical events of The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1.
- None of the original comics' Commandos star in the show, though many share similarities with the initial roster, such as Rick Flag Sr. standing in for Matthew Shrieve, Weasel for Wolfpack, and Eric Frankenstein for Lucky Taylor.
External links[]
References[]
- ↑ DC Slate Unveiled: New Batman, Supergirl Movies, a Green Lantern TV Show, and More from James Gunn, Peter Safran – The Hollywood Reporter
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 James Gunn on how Creature Commandos kicks off his new DC universe – Entertainment Weekly
- ↑ Max Original Adult Animated Series Creature Commandos, From DC Studios, Debuts December 5 – WBD.com
- ↑ Peacemaker: "It's Cow or Never"
- ↑ Creature Commandos Official Trailer – YouTube
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 Here's the Full Cast of DC's Creatures Commandos – Collider
- ↑ @jamesgunn on Threads (January 14, 2024)
- ↑ Julian Kostov (visual voices guide)
- ↑ Here Are the Biggest Easter Eggs in Creature Commandos Episode 4 – Collider
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 James Gunn Reveals What's Still Canon in the DCU and Discusses Creature Commandos, the Next Batman, Superman, and More – Collider
- ↑ James Gunn on Creature Commandos and Killing Nazis in His New DC Universe – YouTube
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters Announcement – YouTube
- ↑ Sean Gunn Reveals DC's Creature Commandos Has Begun Production – Comicbook.com
- ↑ James Gunn Confirms How Many Episodes DC's Creature Commandos Will Be – Comicbook.com
- ↑ James Gunn Reveals Bigger Role In Upcoming DCU Release – ScreenRant
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Creature Commandos Preview Shows Some Downsides To James Gunn's DC Universe (Annecy) – Slashfilm
- ↑ DC's Creature Commandos, Previewed in Annecy, Echoes James Gunn's Unmistakable Voice – Variety
- ↑ DC's Creature Commandos Renewed for Season 2 – Variety
- ↑ James Gunn on Bluesky (January 29, 2025)